Hiking trail guides, gear reviews, packing tips and route planning advice. Everything you need to plan your next multi-day hike — from the HikeLoad team.
The Lycian Way is a 540 km coastal trail in southwest Turkey rated one of the world's ten best walks. Here's how to plan your 2026 trip.
Read articleThe best fleece jackets for hiking, compared on warmth and weight — top picks for every budget, who each one suits, and lighter alternatives.
Read articleEco-friendly hiking gear that actually performs: how to choose sustainable, durable kit, which materials matter and the brands leading on the environment.
Read articleRhodiola rosea cuts perceived exertion by 8% per a 2012 RCT. Here's what the science says about adaptogens for hiking performance in 2026.
Read articleHydrolysed collagen taken 60 min before hiking doubles tendon collagen synthesis per a 2019 BJSM RCT. Here's how to use it correctly.
Read articleTaiwan has 268 peaks above 3,000 m and one of Asia's best trail networks. This 2026 guide covers Yushan, Taroko Gorge, permits and when to plan your trip.
Read articlePolarized training — 80% easy, 20% hard — outperforms all other endurance models per a 2014 Frontiers in Physiology study. Here's how hikers apply it.
Read articleMatch your backpack volume to trip length: 20–30L for overnights, 35–50L for 3–5 day trips, 55–65L for week-long expeditions. Full breakdown inside.
Read articleCreatine monohydrate improves steep-uphill power, reduces muscle damage on multi-day hikes and costs around $5 per month. Here's what the evidence shows.
Read articleDark chocolate, tart cherries, walnuts and turmeric-with-pepper are the best trail-friendly anti-inflammatory foods to reduce DOMS and speed recovery.
Read articleFinland has 40 national parks, all free to enter. The Karhunkierros Bear Trail (80 km, 5–7 days) is the flagship route, with midnight sun June–July.
Read articleWeak hip flexors cause uphill fatigue, anterior pelvic tilt and IT band pain. Six targeted exercises fix the deficit in 8–12 weeks of 2x/week training.
Read articleThe Great Glen Way is a 127 km waymarked trail from Fort William to Inverness. Complete in 5–8 days, no permit needed, best walked May–September.
Read articleDurmitor National Park offers 48 glacial lakes, a 2,523 m summit and Europe's deepest canyon. Best hiking May–October from the town of Žabljak.
Read articleThe best new backpacking gear releases of 2026 include packs built with Aluula fabric under 550 g and sleeping pads with R-6.5 at a lighter weight.
Read articleThe South West Coast Path is England's longest National Trail at 630 miles. This 2026 guide covers stages, best sections, kit and costs.
Read articleSnowdonia holds 15 peaks above 900 m, 2,000 km of trails and the highest summit in Wales. This 2026 guide covers the best routes and scrambles.
Read articleThe lightest hiking rain pants in 2026 weigh just 100 g. This guide compares 2.5-layer and 3-layer options for every budget and conditions.
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